France reports rise in anti-LGBT attacks, other infractions
Posted May 14, 2019 3:33 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
PARIS — France is seeing a rise in reported attacks and other abuse targeting members of the LGBT community.
The French Interior Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that it registered 1,378 infractions based on sexual orientation last year, a rise of 34 per cent from the year before.
It said part of the rise could be attributed to a growing willingness to report such crimes, though LGBT rights groups say many victims still fear reporting attacks.
About a third of the infractions involve physical or sexual violence, while others concern public insults or other abuse, the ministry said. A majority target men.
French rights group SOS Homophobia said it has registered a rise in reports of anti-LGBT acts for the past three years, and says physical violence is notably increasing.
The Associated Press